Escaping the comfort zone is like getting up out of my warm bed on these cold mornings. The weather has been cold for a long time. Days of temperatures this low are not common here. I’ve realized doing things I don’t like or that aren’t fun is like that cold shock when my feet hit the tile floor in my bedroom.

On Wednesday I started two gouache and ink illustrations. Ultimately, I threw away said illustrations. Don’t worry. They weren’t working out. The paint, pencil, ink, and paper just weren’t interested in the careful guidance I was trying to impart. Unlike painting on a canvas there’s no gesso to the rescue to cover up all my mistakes and start over. I took this as a sign that I needed to give creating a rest and get after the much needed admin side of things. Often, the not so fun part but the most necessary.

Everything about my bed says, “Hey, it’s warm and comfy and safe here. You don’t need to get up.” So I bury myself deeper in quilts and blankets. Staying with what’s cozy and comfortable and known.

But eventually things need attention. Eventually you have to escape the comfort zone for some reason. But you have to learn to recognize the signs. Like that cup of coffee my husband brought me before he left for work. It is telling me…

1. I’m empty and you need more.
And
2. You should really go to the bathroom or we are going to have other issues.

All that to say staying with the familiar in my comfort zone isn’t going to move me forward. It’s not going to get artwork listed online or websites updated. It’s not even going to help me find new inspiration so that I can return to my first love of creating art. And it certainly isn’t going to get me another cup of coffee.

[bctt tweet=”Escaping the comfort zone is like getting up out of my warm bed. It’s like that cold shock when my feet hit the tile floor in my bedroom.”]

For more information on this artwork “The Quilted Nest” please contact me. 3’x4′ acrylic on canvas.